How deep do you plant soybeans -- 1 inch, 1.25 inch or 1.5 inch? If so, you are out of step with the most recent data.

Jim Specht, University of Nebraska agronomist, just released results from a three-year study that show that 1.75 inches is now the optimal depth for planting soybeans, regardless of soil conditions, planting date, population or tillage system. When I look at his raw data, it suggests a planting depth between 1.75 and 2 inches is generally optimal.

The thinking is that deeper planting depth offers more stable moisture and temperature conditions for the seed than ...